UConn Spring Football 2021 begins...

[blue93]

It sometimes feels like Edsall does the bare minimum for fans. He will communicate when and what he has to...but that's it.

We are one of two teams in FBS football who took a red shirt this year. And we limped into that redshirt year. Fan interest was already waning and now after not being on the field for two years, the fans are really disconnected from the team.

Enough with the "this is how we have always done it" and super duper secrecy. Why not stream a scrimmage? What will it hurt to release a two deep? Put a bunch of "ors" in if it makes you uncomfortable.

I feel like Edsall has them on the right path...and I do think (not sure why other than blind trust in Edsall) the team will be much better this year. But I wish he was a little more concerned about fan engagement.

I disagree with you here. Aside from the folks on this board, I don’t think the casual fan will care one bit about releasing a 2-deep, naming a starting QB, or a scrimmage.

Selfishly I would love to see all of the above, but at this point most UConn fans just care about the team winning games and we have unique advantages this year with no recent tape for most of the roster.

If that gives us even the slightest edge to win more games, I think it’s worth it.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Back in 2001 and 2002(pre Rent days) - the buzz around the program started with winning games. Then the newness of a big stadium and winning football and beating names we knew brought the fans out in droves. That continued until PP days and have gone downhill ever since.

I don't think that model will necessarily work without tweaks. Here is what has changed:
1) the student body- the student body was rabidly into sports back in those days. This student body is not as the academic standards have increased and apps and gaming have changed behaviors. Even is are winning, I am not sure a student is staying 4 quarters.

2) Attending a football game - it isn't in the Connecticut DNA to sit outside for 3.5 hours to watch a football game. For the hardcore fans- yes - but someone who is more casual will not have that time to invest plus tailgate.

3) The length of a game- football games used to be under 3 hours - they are at least 3 1/2 hours now. Not conducive to fans to stay the whole time.

There are other factors as well- team interactions, media decline in the state(no more hoard), drop in high school football popularity, etc.

What can be done? I am repeating myself here- but the Rent needs really good wireless and a stadium app that allows us in the stands to see replays from different camera angles on our phones. Have a drone overhead with a camera to show above play video. Waiting for the scoreboard to show a replay isn't the answer when we can't see a video replay from different angles. If we have the same video amenities as if we were watching at home would be a big improvement.

Winning will help to an extent. Winning versus named opponents will help drive more fans to the Rent.

I think it is a slow climb so whatever RE does will never be enough to get the place filled like it was 11 years ago. To me the criticism of his public relations is tantamount to criticizing the mid field logo. It is something to talk about but not all that important in the end.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I disagree with you here. Aside from the folks on this board, I don’t think the casual fan will care one bit about releasing a 2-deep, naming a starting QB, or a scrimmage.

Selfishly I would love to see all of the above, but at this point most UConn fans just care about the team winning games and we have unique advantages this year with no recent tape for most of the roster.

If that gives us even the slightest edge to win more games, I think it’s worth it.

The hardcore fans need love too. It's not just about the casual fan. I would hate to think they take hard core fans for granted and don't think or act creatively because it won't interest the casual fan.

As I have said...I like Edsall...but his Achilles heel has been evolving. I do like @hardcorehusky idea with phone replays. But that's only good for those in attendance. Releasing a two deep or streaming a scrimmage would have been a lot easier.

UConn is an independent...they have a lot for freedom...so start doing things outside the box to build interest in the program.

 

[huskymedic]

The hardcore fans need love too. It's not just about the casual fan. I would hate to think they take hard core fans for granted and don't think or act creatively because it won't interest the casual fan.

As I have said...I like Edsall...but his Achilles heel has been evolving. I do like @hardcorehusky idea with phone replays. But that's only good for those in attendance. Releasing a two deep or streaming a scrimmage would have been a lot easier.

UConn is an independent...they have a lot for freedom...so start doing things outside the box to build interest in the program.

Always room for improvement but their social media engagement as a staff has been light years ahead of where they’ve been in the past...

 

[History Geek]

Love the beefed up wifi and drone ideas

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Always room for improvement but their social media engagement as a staff has been light years ahead of where they’ve been in the past...

That's fine. I would think every school has gotten better with social media. They aren't better. They are fine.

I'm saying be different... Be aggressive. UConn is in a unique position...see it as an opportunity to stand out.

 

[metsfan2323]

The hardcore fans need love too.

Hardcore fans can put together their own two deep and it probably wouldn't be very far off from the actual two deep.

QB: is an "or" at this point Krajewski or Zergiotis. I'll believe Leon when I see it but not out of the question.
RB: This is easy, expect Mensah and Carter to both get significant burn
WR: Ross, Jeffreys, Drayton are the probable starters backed up by Hairston, Maurisseau and anybody's guess
OL: Left to right RVD, Fortin, Walker, Haynes and Lundt. I'll call Neidrowski the first sub but he may also be a starter.
TE: Rose (assuming he can play) and Medlock.
DE: T Jones, Uguak, Watts, Moore, Gourdine, McCarthy, DeVaughn, Harris, K jones will all play. A quality D line rotation for a change
LB Fortt, Morgan, Mitchell, Swenson are the top four. High hopes for Fogle and Brown.
Safety: I'll go with Ferrell and Harrell as the starters. Anybody know who else is playing safety?
Corners: I have no idea who the top 4 are. Lucien, Bell and....?

 

[UCFBfan]

I think UConn has something going for it that won't fully depend on winning at first. People just want to get out and do something again. Someone has posted in the season ticket thread how they had no trouble getting people to go on with them on tickets, I believe. I think we'll see more people get in on this at the start of the season. People want to get out and do things like tailgate and attend live events. A football game with limited capacity may not be something everyone is ready for yet, but there are plenty who are. If UConn can market this correctly, I think you can see a successful return of more fans.

This will then require UConn to string some wins together to keep interest. Hopefully this can happen this season.

 

[UCFBfan]

Waffling.

Never good for building comraderie between QB and receivers and being decisive.

I agree with this. The constant carousal at QB each season is a disaster for any gelling on offense. You don't give a QB the opportunity to be successful or grow if you don't allow them to have growing pains while cementing timing and familiarity during actual game play.

 

[huskysupporter]

Shakey hit the nail on the head - “Be Aggressive”

Yes, only hardcore fans care about UCONN Football. The program is on deaths doorstep. How do you try to change that with the limited resources we have?

“Be Aggressive”

Here is a tough pill to swallow - UCONN Football is the worst program in FBS. Look at that statement a couple of times, get angry and accept that is true right now.

Then ask - how do we get out of it? Okay, we have a few things going against the team - limited assistant coach salary pool, no conference, 1930s style offense and coach whose media interviews share no information and bland.

Okay, besides that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln? What can we change? Can’t changes athletic department monetary support, can’t change independent status, can’t change coach (see monetary reference), which means we can’t change turn of the 20th century offense.

But. . . We can be aggressive! Open up practices. Tell HCRE to give frank detailed updates. Media Blitz using social media as the focal point. Reach out to students!

People aren’t going to come to any games if they know nothing about the team (other than the handful of hardcore fans)

Coaching will sort itself out after this season - start with the transparency now.

 

[metsfan2323]

I agree with this. The constant carousal at QB each season is a disaster for any gelling on offense. You don't give a QB the opportunity to be successful or grow if you don't allow them to have growing pains while cementing timing and familiarity during actual game play.

"Constant carousal each season"? People just like to make up their own facts.

Year one under Edsall Sheriffs was the QB after the first half of the first game.

Year two was Pindell all the way.

Year three was Beudry who was injured during the first game then Zergiotis a true freshman who slumped so they gave Krajewski a shot and he immediately got hurt.

Point being there is obviously no plan to have a constant carousal. Sometimes injuries and circumstances leave you no choice. The first two years the QB position was as stable as can be.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Shakey hit the nail on the head - “Be Aggressive”

Yes, only hardcore fans care about UCONN Football. The program is on deaths doorstep. How do you try to change that with the limited resources we have?

“Be Aggressive”

Here is a tough pill to swallow - UCONN Football is the worst program in FBS. Look at that statement a couple of times, get angry and accept that is true right now.

Then ask - how do we get out of it? Okay, we have a few things going against the team - limited assistant coach salary pool, no conference, 1930s style offense and coach whose media interviews share no information and bland.

Okay, besides that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln? What can we change? Can’t changes athletic department monetary support, can’t change independent status, can’t change coach (see monetary reference), which means we can’t change turn of the 20th century offense.

But. . . We can be aggressive! Open up practices. Tell HCRE to give frank detailed updates. Media Blitz using social media as the focal point. Reach out to students!

People aren’t going to come to any games if they know nothing about the team (other than the handful of hardcore fans)

Coaching will sort itself out after this season - start with the transparency now.

If we are the worst- what is UMass?

 

[Husky83]

Hardcore fans can put together their own two deep and it probably wouldn't be very far off from the actual two deep.

QB: is an "or" at this point Krajewski or Zergiotis. I'll believe Leon when I see it but not out of the question.
RB: This is easy, expect Mensah and Carter to both get significant burn
WR: Ross, Jeffreys, Drayton are the probable starters backed up by Hairston, Maurisseau and anybody's guess
OL: Left to right RVD, Fortin, Walker, Haynes and Lundt. I'll call Neidrowski the first sub but he may also be a starter.
TE: Rose (assuming he can play) and Medlock.
DE: T Jones, Uguak, Watts, Moore, Gourdine, McCarthy, DeVaughn, Harris, K jones will all play. A quality D line rotation for a change
LB Fortt, Morgan, Mitchell, Swenson are the top four. High hopes for Fogle and Brown.
Safety: I'll go with Ferrell and Harrell as the starters. Anybody know who else is playing safety?
Corners: I have no idea who the top 4 are. Lucien, Bell and....?

No insider information, but in the press conference Edsall made the point of saying that some of the young WRs were pushing for playing time. So thinking he might be referring to some or all of Marion, Clercius and Kevin Dunn (SHU transfer who switched over from playing QB) all of whom were shown making plays in the videos that were posted. And he also said the young RBs were explosive so maybe Houston and Brewton will have roles as well? On the DBs maybe the JUCOs Wortham and Cross are in the mix along with Durante Jones?

 

[huskysupporter]

If we are the worst- what is UMass?

I’d say the programs are very very similar. I also think they are one of the worst programs in FBS and if you want to put UCONN a hair ahead of them you won’t get an argument from me. Doesn’t make me much happier either. The fact that the program has fallen to these depths is depressing.

 

[hardcorehusky]

I’d say the programs are very very similar. I also think they are one of the worst programs in FBS and if you want to put UCONN a hair ahead of them you won’t get an argument from me. Doesn’t make me much happier either. The fact that the program has fallen to these depths is depressing.

If you saw their physical infrastructure versus ours, you would see they are light years behind us. They also put less money into football than we do as their only revenue is buy games.

Watch our improvement this year (and I can confidently say that after finally seeing our guys look like football players) before you start rating programs).

 

[Pudge]

I’d say the programs are very very similar. I also think they are one of the worst programs in FBS and if you want to put UCONN a hair ahead of them you won’t get an argument from me. Doesn’t make me much happier either. The fact that the program has fallen to these depths is depressing.

thanks for your interest in University of Connecticut football

on a lighter note. Leaving the American was absolutely necessary. We were losing our fanbase over multiple sports for the sake of playing Tulane & Tulsa. This new paradigm? Promising ... more than I expected. We can play the Top conferences. We play more regional. And our recruiting will be better and more competitive. Worst? Gosh. I think the worst thing is we arent Pitt or BC ... and that's what we tried to Leap. Zero to 80 in a decade. Traditional CFB kicked our ass.

Edsall can build. Set a structure - after this Covid crap - that makes for revenue and interesting football.

For someone to think UMASS is a comparable ... is either showing ignorance or feigning ignorance.

 

[UCFBfan]

"Constant carousal each season"? People just like to make up their own facts.

Year one under Edsall Sheriffs was the QB after the first half of the first game.

Year two was Pindell all the way.

Year three was Beudry who was injured during the first game then Zergiotis a true freshman who slumped so they gave Krajewski a shot and he immediately got hurt.

Point being there is obviously no plan to have a constant carousal. Sometimes injuries and circumstances leave you no choice. The first two years the QB position was as stable as can be.

I'm not talking during the season. I'm talking about from season to season. You just highlighted my exact point. 3 QBs in three years. How do establish consistency with that? I'm not talking within a season. I don't need you to tell me something I know in regards to QBs during a season. I'm talking about the revolving door that is the QB position from season to season. SK came in as a highly rated prospect yet he hasn't been given the chance. If he isn't up to snuff, I guess then you need to go with someone who can be and can play moving forward. Why are they not sticking with Zergiotis? Why go away from him? So he slumped? Clearly they thought he was the second best QB on the roster. So stick with him. Instead, you hit reset possibly on season number 4 if you go with a different QB. That is my point.

 

[Bongo Fury]

I’d say the programs are very very similar. I also think they are one of the worst programs in FBS and if you want to put UCONN a hair ahead of them you won’t get an argument from me. Doesn’t make me much happier either. The fact that the program has fallen to these depths is depressing.

UCONN has far greater support. Not even close. A couple of years ago when Whipple was there they were a better team.

 

[Bongo Fury]

I'm not talking during the season. I'm talking about from season to season. You just highlighted my exact point. 3 QBs in three years. How do establish consistency with that? I'm not talking within a season. I don't need you to tell me something I know in regards to QBs during a season. I'm talking about the revolving door that is the QB position from season to season. SK came in as a highly rated prospect yet he hasn't been given the chance. If he isn't up to snuff, I guess then you need to go with someone who can be and can play moving forward. Why are they not sticking with Zergiotis? Why go away from him? So he slumped? Clearly they thought he was the second best QB on the roster. So stick with him. Instead, you hit reset possibly on season number 4 if you go with a different QB. That is my point.

That would be like if the Patriots stuck with Drew Bledsoe. He was the 2nd overall pick and franchise player. Brady was Fortunate to even have been given a chance.

 

[Slick]

I’d say the programs are very very similar. I also think they are one of the worst programs in FBS and if you want to put UCONN a hair ahead of them you won’t get an argument from me. Doesn’t make me much happier either. The fact that the program has fallen to these depths is depressing.

The only thing that is depressing is that huskysupporter is really a Husky Hater. Lets see how the team is this year. I spoke with Dave Benedict when Uconn signed Hurley. I asked him if he thought it was a good decision to hire Hurely ( I was really kidding since I thought it was a tremendous hire myself). Benedict said it was a great hire and that Hurley was going to not only turn the program around but that people were going to be shocked at how soon he would do it. Obviously finishing 3rd in Big East,making the NCAA Tourney and bringing in another top ten recruiting class proved him correct. He also said that Randy had an extremely difficult job and turning it around was going to take a long time. Unfortunately he was correct. Let's see if this team can win 4 or 5 games this year and see an improvement. If they have another year with one win I will join huskysupporter on suicide watch.

 

[Husky25]

That would be like if the Patriots stuck with Drew Bledsoe. He was the 2nd overall pick and franchise player. Brady was Fortunate to even have been given a chance.

First pick.

 

[freescooter]

I'm not talking during the season. I'm talking about from season to season. You just highlighted my exact point. 3 QBs in three years. How do establish consistency with that? I'm not talking within a season. I don't need you to tell me something I know in regards to QBs during a season. I'm talking about the revolving door that is the QB position from season to season. SK came in as a highly rated prospect yet he hasn't been given the chance. If he isn't up to snuff, I guess then you need to go with someone who can be and can play moving forward. Why are they not sticking with Zergiotis? Why go away from him? So he slumped? Clearly they thought he was the second best QB on the roster. So stick with him. Instead, you hit reset possibly on season number 4 if you go with a different QB. That is my point.

I’m not sure that is so unusual in the current climate and when a new coach comes in. With guys transferring all the time, even major powers see changes at quarterback. Certainly BC/Syracuse level programs do. And sometimes things don’t work out. Edsall clearly brought in Pindell with the idea he would be the qb for 2 years. Unfortunately he didn’t adapt as quickly as hoped. I also think he recruited Krewjewsky (sp) thinking he would take over, and Beaudry was more of a bridge...probably would play a year, manage the game and be replaced by SK either later in the season, or certainly the next year. For whatever reason, Krejewski didn’t perform as expected, and Zergiotis got the nod when Beaudry went down. If I were a betting man, I would bet KrejewskI will be the guy this year. Had he not gone down, I suspect he was primed to finally take over in 2019. Plus given that he has stayed around leads me to think he has the inside track.

 

[ktuck911]

Hardcore fans can put together their own two deep and it probably wouldn't be very far off from the actual two deep.

QB: is an "or" at this point Krajewski or Zergiotis. I'll believe Leon when I see it but not out of the question.
RB: This is easy, expect Mensah and Carter to both get significant burn
WR: Ross, Jeffreys, Drayton are the probable starters backed up by Hairston, Maurisseau and anybody's guess
OL: Left to right RVD, Fortin, Walker, Haynes and Lundt. I'll call Neidrowski the first sub but he may also be a starter.
TE: Rose (assuming he can play) and Medlock.
DE: T Jones, Uguak, Watts, Moore, Gourdine, McCarthy, DeVaughn, Harris, K jones will all play. A quality D line rotation for a change
LB Fortt, Morgan, Mitchell, Swenson are the top four. High hopes for Fogle and Brown.
Safety: I'll go with Ferrell and Harrell as the starters. Anybody know who else is playing safety?
Corners: I have no idea who the top 4 are.

I would hope T Jones plays a little more DT than DE

 

[Bubba1957]

I'm not talking during the season. I'm talking about from season to season. You just highlighted my exact point. 3 QBs in three years. How do establish consistency with that? I'm not talking within a season. I don't need you to tell me something I know in regards to QBs during a season. I'm talking about the revolving door that is the QB position from season to season. SK came in as a highly rated prospect yet he hasn't been given the chance. If he isn't up to snuff, I guess then you need to go with someone who can be and can play moving forward. Why are they not sticking with Zergiotis? Why go away from him? So he slumped? Clearly they thought he was the second best QB on the roster. So stick with him. Instead, you hit reset possibly on season number 4 if you go with a different QB. That is my point.

Alabama had three different starter the last three years (hurts, tua and Jones). They seemed to do ok. It’s college players change.

 

[metsfan2323]

I would hope T Jones plays a little more DT than DE

Just a typo on my part, I meant DL as I was lumping them all together. However now that you bring it up I wouldn't be surprised if T Jones moves around in passing situations in an effort to generate a pass rush.

 

[ktuck911]

Just a typo on my part, I meant DL as I was lumping them all together. However now that you bring it up I wouldn't be surprised if T Jones moves around in passing situations in an effort to generate a pass rush.

Exactly brother. I see that happening as well, but in a base defense, he's strictly DT

 

[UCFBfan]

Alabama had three different starter the last three years (hurts, tua and Jones). They seemed to do ok. It’s college players change.

When we get players that are the caliber of players that Alabama get, I'm all good with your argument. Not quite sure you can try and use that as a comparison....

 

[Bubba1957]

When we get players that are the caliber of players that Alabama get, I'm all good with your argument. Not quite sure you can try and use that as a comparison....

My point is if you want consistency, watch the pros. Kids graduate, improve, lose interest, etc... Rosters change. As someone else pointed out, sheriffs and pindell were good players who provided lots of stability, but they ran out of eligibility. Last year, with all the new faces and injuries at that position, bad stuff happened.

 

[Husky25]

My point is if you want consistency, watch the pros. Kids graduate, improve, lose interest, etc... Rosters change. As someone else pointed out, sheriffs and pindell were good players who provided lots of stability, but they ran out of eligibility. Last year, with all the new faces and injuries at that position, bad stuff happened.

With an average career length of 3 1/2 years? For every Tom Brady and Drew Brees, there is a 4th rounder who washes out after the 3rd preseason game.

 

[UCFBfan]

My point is if you want consistency, watch the pros. Kids graduate, improve, lose interest, etc... Rosters change. As someone else pointed out, sheriffs and pindell were good players who provided lots of stability, but they ran out of eligibility. Last year, with all the new faces and injuries at that position, bad stuff happened.

I hear ya but when was the last time we had a QB who went more than one season as the starter? You look at the answer to that, and then look at our record over those seasons. I believe there is a correlation. Not saying it's all of it, but having that consistency leads to better offense. What has this team lacked the most over the these years? Offense.